Five brands fusing contemporary design with heritage techniques

Hand-crafted items in our homes connect us to stories and memories, as well as the artisans who make them, says Adele Cardani. The following brands represent a modern take on precious skills passed down from generation to generation

The Talwin rug from Agnella by Brintons’ collab with the V&A (Brintons)

During my undergraduate studies, I took an anthropology class in which each student was asked to investigate the lifecycle of a meaningful item. I chose a coffee ring-stained, 18th-century Chippendale chest of drawers that belongs to my mother, discovering that the walnut dresser has been in her family since 1805, and that she is in the ninth generation to own it. In a way, its two missing knobs, askew keyhole cover and creaky drawers (which now require a gentle lift to pull out) keep us physically linked to our family’s past, even as the memories of the places we used to live or the people the dresser once belonged to pale.

Deborah Pocock, CEO at the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust – an organisation dedicated to the training of talented, aspiring craftspeople with the goal of sustaining their vital skills – says: “The best interiors reflect the interests, loves and experiences of the owner, so the addition of meaningful, handcrafted items, imbued with stories as well as beauty, plays a significant role in our emotional investment in, and connection to, our homes.”

Pocock continues: “There has been a resurgence of interest in craft in recent years for good reason. Many are reacting against our modern-day, screen-filled lives by turning to tactile, handmade items to reconnect with their senses and appreciate slower-paced work. In creating handcrafted objects for interiors, makers are often honouring centuries-old skills, while adding their own distinctive imprint or personality to produce truly unique pieces. They bring together a sense of place and history, adding a layer of interest and appeal to functional ‘things’ to enhance a space. They tell stories, engaging with viewers to bring heart and soul to interiors.”